--- title: "Horner identifies RB12 as a “good” foundation" canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2016/03/18/horner-identifies-rb12-good-foundation/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "Kyran Gibbons" section: "F1 News" published: "2016-03-18T17:10:43Z" modified: "2016-03-18T17:10:43Z" --- # Horner identifies RB12 as a “good” foundation Winning the development race is critical to success in F1. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has acknowledged that Red Bull could once again be key performers in this regard in 2016, with the RB12 providing a “good basis” upon which to improve. It is a season in which Red Bull Racing were seemingly close to missing out on, as engine politics towards the end of 2015 saw the team rejected by Mercedes and Ferrari, who refused to supply such a strong rival with power units. As a result, the compromise of running a rebranded Renault engine was adopted. TAG Heuer sponsorship and assistance from the power unit experts at Ilmor will serve to differentiate their 2016 challenger, the RB12, from the underpowered RB11. “I think we are in transition and I think we are hopefully getting on an upward curve now,” Horner stated during Friday’s FIA Team Personnel Press Conference. Commentators anticipate that with Red Bull running what is essentially a re-badged Renault powertrain, at least for the opening races of the season before their influence begins to take effect, they could be leapfrogged by the likes of Toro Rosso. As a result, performing well in the development race will be critical if they are to achieve their ambition of returning to the top step later this season. It is a challenge which Horner believes his team are well prepared for. He added: “We have a good basis of a car to develop throughout the year and with the different partnerships we have introduced, some exciting partnerships, welcoming Tag Heuer to the team not only as a sponsor but as branding on our power unit and also the announcement yesterday with Aston Martin, it’s very exciting for Red Bull Advanced Technologies.” 2016 will unquestionably be a busy year for the Milton Keynes squad. Unlike in 2015, when their headline-making exploits almost invariably surrounded engine politics, Red Bull will hope that this year, it is their positive on track performances filling the column inches. Early signs are promising and their positivity is refreshing.